Role Overview

The Shop Manager leads maintenance and repair operations for the NBX Hermiston terminal, ensuring the fleet is safe, road-ready, and running efficiently. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with operational oversight, managing a team of technicians while owning the shop’s software platforms, work order systems, and vendor relationships. The Shop Manager is the person who keeps equipment downtime low, documentation tight, and the maintenance program running with discipline.

This role is accountable for preventative maintenance scheduling, fleet technology management, budget accountability, and DOT compliance across all equipment at the Hermiston location. It requires someone who is equally comfortable in the shop and behind a screen, who holds their team to a high standard, and who takes genuine ownership of the fleet.

Maintenance and Operations Responsibilities

• Own the preventative maintenance program for all rolling stock and equipment at the Hermiston terminal, ensuring services are scheduled, completed on time, and documented.

• Oversee the diagnosis and repair of all fleet equipment; assist technicians with complex mechanical issues and ensure repairs meet quality and efficiency standards.

• Manage work orders from creation through close-out, ensuring accurate documentation of parts used, labor hours, and work performed.

• Manage parts and tool inventory, including determining appropriate stocking levels, researching costs, and placing orders to ensure the shop has what it needs without excess.

• Coordinate with equipment manufacturers and parts vendors to ensure warranty service is delivered properly and tracked.

• Maintain shop appearance and housekeeping standards; a clean, organized shop is a safe and efficient shop.

• Review daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) to prioritize and schedule repairs in alignment with operational needs.

• Coordinate with Managers on equipment availability, maintenance windows, and planned downtime to minimize disruption to operations.

Software and Technology Management

A core accountability of this role is ownership of the shop’s technology stack. The Shop Manager is responsible for ensuring platforms are used correctly, data is accurate, and the team is trained and compliant.

• Serve as the primary administrator and power user for fleet maintenance and work order management software (e.g., RTA or equivalent), ensuring the system reflects accurate, real-time equipment data.

• Manage telematics and ELD platforms (e.g., Samsara, EROAD) for the Hermiston fleet, monitoring vehicle health data, fault codes, and inspection records and acting on findings proactively.

• Use software reporting and dashboards to track maintenance costs, repair trends, PM compliance, and equipment performance; bring data-driven insights to conversations with the Terminal Manager.

• Train technicians and, where applicable, drivers on software tools relevant to their roles, including DVIR submission, ELD use, and work order processes.

• Identify opportunities to improve shop efficiency or data quality through better use of existing platforms, and surface technology needs or gaps to leadership.

• Ensure all software records are maintained with accuracy and completeness to support DOT compliance, warranty claims, and cost reporting.

Safety and Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture in the shop, ensuring all team members follow safe work practices and use appropriate PPE.

• Ensure all fleet equipment meets DOT, FMCSA, and applicable state and federal safety and inspection standards.

• Lead shop-level safety observations and corrective coaching, with consistent and timely documentation.

• Coordinate with the Terminal Manager and HR on workers compensation matters, return-to-work plans, and OSHA recordkeeping as applicable.

• Lead or support incident response and root cause analysis for equipment-related accidents, breakdowns, or near-misses.

Vendor and Financial Accountability

• Build and maintain productive relationships with parts vendors, service providers, and equipment manufacturers to ensure quality, reliability, and competitive pricing.

• Oversee contract maintenance vendors, including evaluating performance and ensuring service standards are met.

• Assist in developing the shop budget; monitor spending against budget and proactively communicate variances to the Terminal Manager.

• Contribute to capital expenditure decisions by providing data and recommendations on equipment age, condition, repair-versus-replace thresholds, and replacement cost.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of shop technicians, setting clear performance expectations and providing consistent coaching and feedback. Build a culture of ownership, safety, and craftsmanship in the shop, where equipment is fixed right the first time.

• Assign and prioritize work orders based on operational urgency, equipment condition, and technician capacity.

• Recruit and onboard shop technicians in partnership with HR, including participation in interviews and final hiring recommendations.

• Resolve employee relations matters with sound judgment, partnering with Human Resources on documentation, corrective action, and investigations.

• Lead the team through changes in technology, process, or operational requirements, clearly communicating the why and the what.

• Five or more years of progressive diesel mechanics or fleet maintenance experience, with exposure to both Class 8 trucks and trailer equipment.

• Two or more years of direct supervisory experience, with demonstrated success leading a shop or maintenance team.

• Proficiency with fleet maintenance software and work order management platforms; experience with RTA, TMT, or equivalent is strongly preferred.

• Working knowledge of telematics and ELD systems (Samsara, EROAD, or equivalent), including data interpretation and driver compliance monitoring.

• Solid understanding of DOT and FMCSA regulations applicable to commercial vehicle maintenance and inspection.

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple open work orders and competing operational demands simultaneously.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Gmail; comfort learning and adopting new technology platforms.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate clearly with technicians, drivers, vendors, and terminal leadership.

• Sound judgment and professionalism in handling sensitive employee, equipment, and operational matters.

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record; CDL preferred or willingness to obtain.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in trucking, agricultural transportation, or a fleet environment with 40 or more units.

• Prior experience as a Shop Foreman, Fleet Manager, or Lead Technician in a multi-shift or high-volume shop.

• Familiarity with refrigerated or flatbed trailer maintenance.

• ASE certification or equivalent technical credentials.

Essential Job Functions

The following functions are essential to the successful performance of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, and move throughout a shop environment for extended periods of time.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds; occasional lifting of heavier components with mechanical assistance.

• Ability to use a computer, tablet, and shop software systems for sustained periods of time.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including heat, cold, noise, and exposure to mechanical fluids and materials typical of a diesel maintenance shop.

• Ability to occasionally work extended hours or respond outside of scheduled hours to address urgent equipment or operational needs.

• Ability to operate a personal or company vehicle to travel locally to vendor locations or other company sites as needed.

• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, work orders, inspection reports, DOT regulations, and software dashboards.